I. -shən ə l, -shnəl adjective
Etymology: profession + -al
1.
a.
(1) : of, relating to, or characteristic of a profession or calling
a professional degree
(2) : concerned or occupied with the training of professionals
universities are professional institutions — J.B.Conant
b.
(1) : engaged in one of the learned professions or in an occupation requiring a high level of training and proficiency
the professional man or woman is expected to possess several distinctive … qualifications — A.E.Bestor
(2) : characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession or an occupation : manifesting fine artistry or workmanship based on sound knowledge and conscientiousness : reflecting the results of education, training, and experience
professional courtesy
they are afraid of … their own professional or business standing — John Lodge
it was a competent professional job
2.
a. : participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs
a professional baseball player
b. : engaged or participated in by persons receiving financial return
professional football
3. : following a line of conduct or assuming a role as though it were a profession
comes at times close to deserving the name of professional southerner — Tarleton Collier
become so much the professional celebrity — Van Wyck Brooks
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : one that engages in a particular pursuit, study, or science for gain or livelihood
a small standing army largely made up of professionals
b. : one that competes in sports or athletics for gain or livelihood or who has taught or trained for money
a golf professional
— compare amateur
c. : one who receives money for appearing in theatrical productions : one who is engaged professionally
2.
a. : one who belongs to one of the learned professions or is in an occupation requiring a high level of training and proficiency
many highly trained salaried professionals — R.K.Burns
large corporations are absorbing more and more professionals — M.L.Cogan
b. : one with sufficient authority or practical experience in an area of knowledge or endeavor to resemble a professional
though an amateur in politics he had been a professional in diplomacy — Time